Training that’s personal

With a new financial year on the horizon, now is an ideal time to start planning your training requirements and thinking about what training courses can help you get the most out of your current role. Esri Australia’s National Training Manager Kath Sund gives us a quick update on new training developments in the GIS space.

Esri Australia: Hi Kath, thanks for taking some time out of your schedule to chat to us. Can you tell us what’s been happening in the training world and what we can expect in the new financial year?

Kath: At the moment we’re focussing on expanding the course options we have available. GIS is such a wide field and we know a one-size-fits-all approach to training doesn’t really work. Different GIS professionals have different needs, so we’re investing a lot of time in helping clients understand what’s right for them and developing training courses that help meet their needs.

What’s got us really excited at the moment is customised training, where we tailor an existing training course to meet a client’s exact requirements. This is proving to be a popular choice for users that need to brush up on a skills set for a particular project they’re working on.

Not only can we provide training materials amalgamating different course chapters together, we can also build specific training materials for an organisation.  We have an experienced training team who can help users with their specific needs, and work out the best option for them.

EA: Why would a user take up a customised training option? What’s in it for them?

KS: Because all our clients have different needs, a standard approach sometimes isn’t the best option. With customised training, clients know they’ll get training that’s relevant and helps them meet their operational requirements.  It’s all about flexibility for users and making sure they get the skills they need. The courses can also include a workshop component, allowing the trainer to spend time working on specific workflows not covered in the training materials.

What about the Learning and Services Credits Program? How can this help organisations plan their training?  

KS: The lead-up to a new financial year is always a crazy time for larger organisations with budgets under scrutiny. Our Learning and Services Credits Program is ideal because it offers real flexibility. Clients can purchase training credits in the current financial year to use in the next financial year. There’s also flexibility in how they spend those credits – whether they prefer one of our GIS training courses, or dedicated time with our staff – the choice is up to them.

How have people responded to one-on-one training?

KS: Again, clients like the option because it gives them flexibility. With our Client Exclusive Training option, we provide training for up to 10 employees from an organisation at either their premises or one of our own training facilities. By focussing the course exclusively on the needs of one organisation, students receive quality time. Ultimately, this means a more cost-effective and targeted training option.

 

EA: Thanks Kath.

Directions 2013 – Coming of age in our profession

At Brisbane Directions 2013, 260 GIS professionals attended a celebration where GIS came of age. It was a chance to network and celebrate how GIS knowledge holders are being increasingly valued for helping organisations and industries discover business advantages through the use of GIS.

Geography as a Platform

Directions 2013 gave us the opportunity to see the power and customisation of platforms such as ArcGIS Online, Esri Maps for Office and Dekho. These tools allow every user, especially non-GIS professionals, a streamlined front-of-house experience enhancing their current information analysis and data sharing capabilities, anytime, anywhere.

Reflections: Beyond the Scene

I was born in Christchurch, New Zealand to a Samoan mother and New Zealand father. I grew up travelling a lot, playing representative sport and visiting family abroad. So it was at a young age that I became enthralled with two things: maps and National Geographic. Little did I realise that I would rekindle this passion later in life as I studied towards my Bachelor of Science and later Masters in Geography from the University of Otago in Dunedin. Over this period I have spent my summers working as an intern at the Centre for Sustainability (CSAFE) studying a range of geographic issues. Some of my projects included assisting the national energy authority (EECA) establish a GIS for renewable energy generation in New Zealand, engaging with communities about energy behaviour change at the household level, building EIA capacity in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and assessing the public fall out from Project Hayes, New Zealand’s largest wind farm proposal, published as part of a book entitled “Making Our Place”. So what has signified the importance of GIS in my life to date? To answer this question I would like to share two important reflections from my home and homeland:

New Beginnings at Esri Australia

Hello, my name is Pia King and I am part of the first Graduate Consultant Group at Esri Australia. I am an American-Australian and I have spent my life living in both Brisbane and Philadelphia, USA.  My first exposure to GIS was during my undergraduate studies in Environmental Studies and Political Science while working on a political campaign.

After working for a few years, I decided to go back to school to gain the skills and knowledge that would help answer my spatial questions in a meaningful way.

ArcGIS Online continued evolution – Part 2

Continuing the exploration of the ArcGIS Online December 2012 release, Part 2 focuses on enhancements in the areas of publishing,  sharing and administration, and printing. The previous post in the series looked at new functionality added to the ArcGIS Online Map Viewer.

From a hole in the Ozone Layer to a career in GIS

Image source: nasa

Do you remember the ‘hole’ in the ozone layer? Basically, after finding out CFCs were bad we made the change to non-aerosol.  It was a defining moment in my early school days. At the time, I thought the world was doomed.  Then I won the Premier’s Science Award for my year 6 science project – an educational board game about the ozone layer. Coincidently, the game featured points on an image of the globe with associated attributes (trivia) that facilitated a path to save the earth. The message was clear: collect and share information and you will save the Earth!

Ozri 2013 – Have you budgeted your attendance?

Around this time of year, many of our users are working on their budgets for the upcoming financial year.

I thought I’d share with you what many people do – which is budget now for their attendance at Ozri – Esri Australia’s annual user conference.

Planning ahead makes sure that you don’t miss out on any learning opportunities or key events – such as Ozri – that will assist in your professional development – and maximise your organisation’s GIS investment.  With GIS technology – and its scope for application – changing at such a rapid pace, keeping up to date with the latest developments is a must for any geospatial professional.